Is there much difference between evolution and mutation?

Answer 1

The theory of evolution relies on 4 things: 1) living organisms are capable of reproduction; 2) mutations can and do occur that are able to be inherited by the offspring of individuals; 3) those mutations are spread throughout a population in given percentages based on the forces that cause natural selection; and 4) natural selection is a means by which speciation (the formation of a new species) occurs.

In other words, mutation does not equal evolution, but is a part of the evolutionary process.

Answer 2

Mutation is an unending process. Everything changes all the time. Evolution is the success of a mutation in such a way that survival is enhanced or a new niche can be exploited.
In our case. Our mutations are psychological and philosophical more than physical. The ability to communicate in a complex fashion created the technology we are so proud of. The economic comforts that resulted, and are resulting, for some, are a mutation of society with both positive and negative evolutionary effects. It always remains to be seen how things will play out.
Technical evolution has outpaced psychological evolution. That means we have the ability to reproduce ourself into environmental collapse. That is what really happens periodically with the lemmings.
The wisdom to avoid negative consequences exists, but most people are too busy being dazzled.

Answer 3

Mutation is the CAUSE of evolution. If an individual of a species mutates it can either be a good thing or a bad thing. If the mutation is a benefit to the species, the offspring of that mutated individual will have a distinct advantage and will spread faster than the (disadvantaged) non-mutants, which will gradually die out. A recent example was a moth that lived on tree bark. During the Industrial Revolution there was a lot of soot about and the tree trunks were dark. The moths were also dark so birds could not find them easily. As the country cleaned up its act, the soot disappeared and the tree trunks grew paler. The dark moths stood out against the trunks and birds picked them off. Some moths mutated to a lighter colour and were camouflaged against the now lighter bark. These survived. Evolution in a lifetime!

Answer 4

Mutation is the process of evolution. If an organism mutates and passes the mutation to its offspring, and the mutation gives the offspring an advantage in the environment, the species tends to evolve to the mutated state as the mutants produce offspring more capable in their environment.

Answer 5

What you overlook when you focus on mutation is that there is already a massive variety of variation and that selection can transform the world. Also if were to start being very nice to each other this change would unloose those masses that would prosper under this circumstance. You must act the way you want the world to be. Culturally if we valued honesty and treated hypocrites as leapers this would change things too. Sexual selection is a big part of this. It is a spiritual thing, not really scientific.

Answer 6

Almost all mutations are a negative deformity of some sort and fortunately will not breed. Evolution is a positive factor for the betterment of the species and is capable of propagation in the species.

Answer 7

Evolution is mutation that worked out for the best.

Answer 8

Yes. Evolution is a process - mutation is a result of a departure from the hereditable characteristics of a parent group.

Answer 9

Evolution comes naturally. With mutation, you are somewhat
different than what comes naturally, such as a blind or deaf
person, or autistic. But we all have "hearts of love." <}:-})

Answer 10

yes - they're 2 separate things. mutation is a "DNA accident", and evolution happens on purpose.